Good morning. It's Sunday the 11th of September and here is the GB2RS news broadcast, prepared by the RSGB and intended for all radio amateurs and short-wave listeners. And we start this week with our congratulations to Katie Cannon, who has passed her 5 words per minute Novice Morse test at the age of only seven. She took the test at Reading on the 16th of August and is one of the youngest people to have passed this test. The seventh Amateur Radio Direction Finding World Championships take place this week in Sweden. For the first time the RSGB has sent an official four-member team to represent the United Kingdom. Later this month, the 160 metre UK National ARDF Final will be held in Northamptonshire. For information on all types of direction finding, contact Brian Bristow, G4KBB, whose address is correct in the RSGB Call Book. Now some sad news: Midlands GB2RS news reader Tom Douglas, G3BA, passed away last week. He was well known as someone who put a great deal into amateur radio over many years. He will be greatly missed. A full obituary will appear in the November edition of Radio Communication. The next RSGB Microwave Round Table meeting takes place on Sunday the 13th of November at the British Telecom Laboratories, Ipswich, Suffolk. The event is organised by the Martlesham Radio Society and will commences at 10am. Attractions will include the usual round table sessions, test equipment and bring and buy facilities. The provisional lecture programme includes talks on 10GHz rainscatter, 24GHz and 47GHz activity, as well as an update on the 10GHz Phase 3D transponder by Freddie, ON6UG. For security reasons, all access is by advanced booking only, and it is important to give the names of all persons attending in a group if you request multiple tickets. Tickets can be obtained by sending a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope to Roy Smith, G0RRC, 'Lykkebo', The Street, Burstall, Ipswich, IP8 3DN. It has been reported elsewhere that a number of rallies due to be held on Sunday the 25th of September have been cancelled. In fact, only the Peterborough event is cancelled. Four events are still taking place: the Harlow Amateur Radio and Computer Show, the Three Counties Rally, the North Wakefield Radio Club Rally and the Scottish DX Cluster Support Group Junk Sale. Full and accurate information of all of these events can be found in the September edition of Radio Communication. We will of course be giving you details via GB2RS next week. An RSGB Regional Meeting takes place on Saturday the 22nd of October at the New Friend's Hall, Purdown, Stapleton, Bristol. The doors open at 12.30pm, when light refreshments will be available and the meeting commences at 2pm. Several members of the RSGB Council will be in attendance plus representatives of HQ. Full details will appear in the October edition of RadCom which is scheduled to be posted to all RSGB members within the next ten days. Now some items of HF DX news from the weekly RSGB DX News Sheet which is edited by Brendan McCartney, G4DYO. From the USA, ARRL officials and staff members are appending /125 to their own callsign, until the 19th of September to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the birth of Hiram Percy Maxim, co-founder of ARRL. From Qatar, the callsign A71A/ID23 is being aired to celebrate 23 years of Independence. From Marianas Islands, JA6CNL will sign KH0/KR4VN until Tuesday the 13th from Saipan Island on all bands from 40 to 10 metres, CW and SSB. Now the rallies we know of for today, Sunday the 11th of September: The British Amateur Radio Teledata Group (BARTG) Rally is being held at the Sandown Exhibition Centre, Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher, Surrey. There is easy access from junction 10 of the M25, which is not far from the M3, M4 and M40 motorways. Doors open at 10.30am. The event features many exhibitors and special interest groups, covering radio, computers, peripherals, software, books, kits and test equipment, all with the emphasis on Data Communications. Refreshments are available. The Cranfield Amateur Radio Car Boot Sale (organised by the Milton Keynes and District Amateur Radio Society) is being held at Cranfield Airfield, Bedfordshire. The airfield is located near the M1 Motorway. Take junction 13, if travelling from the south or 14 if arriving from the north. Doors open at 9.30am. Talk-in is on two metres, channel S22. Also the Lincoln Short Wave Club 'Hamfest' is being held at the Lincolnshire Showground and Exhibition Centre, situated some four miles north of Lincoln on the A15, Lincoln to Scunthorpe road. Doors open at 10.30am. The event features all the usual trade stands and a bring and buy stall. The site also has lots of attractions for other family members. Refreshments are available and talk-in is on channel S22. Next the only event we know of for next weekend: On Saturday the 17th of September the Scottish Amateur Radio Convention and Computer Show (SARCON) is to be held at the Cults Community Centre which is situated some two miles west of Aberdeen on the A93 road. Doors open at 10.30am, or at 10.00 for disabled visitors. The event features many trade stands, an RSGB Bookstall and enquiries stand, computer and special interest group stands, a bring and buy stall and a lecture programme. The RSGB Morse Test will be available on demand, subject to the usual fee and the need to bring two passport size photographs. Refreshments will be available and talk-in will be on two metres, channel S22. Further details from Martin, GM0JCN on 0569 731177. Now for the HF contest news: The Scandinavian Activity CW Contest takes place from 1500 on Saturday the 17th until 1800 on Sunday the 18th on the 3.5 to 28MHz, but not the WARC bands. See September RadCom page 18 for more information. The RSGB 21/28MHz SSB Contest takes place from 0700 to 1900 UTC on Sunday the 2nd of October. See June RadCom page 82 for full details. Next some VHF contest news: Another RSGB 24GHz Summer Cumulative Contest takes place from 0900 to 2100 UTC today, Sunday the 11th. See April's RadCom for details. Also today, the Worked All Britain 144MHz High Power Phone Contest take place from 0900 to 1700 UTC and there are sections for fixed, portable, mobile and Short Wave Listener stations. The RSGB 70MHz Trophy and SWL Contest takes place from 0900 to 1400 UTC on Sunday the 25th of September. There are three sections: Single Operator fixed, All others and Listeners. See July Radcom page 82 for further details. Special event stations active during this week include: GB2OWM which is active until Thursday the 15th from the Orkney Wireless Museum on the island of Ronaldsay, WAB area ND49, during the Fourth Orkney Science Festival. Today, GB0RAF is operated by members of the RAF Amateur Radio Society from the Lincoln Hamfest, which will be on 80 and 40 metres, CW and SSB. Also GX8MWA and GX5MW which will be operated by the Medway Amateur Receiving and Transmitting Society at the Strood Steam Rally, and GB2NFR will be on air from the North Foreland area of East Kent, commemorating the wartime radar sites operated from there. And now the solar factual data: The period from the 29th of August to the 4th of September saw a considerable rise in sunspot indices, solar flux levels and the X-Ray flux. Two M class flares were reported, but the geomagnetic field has remained generally quiet. On the 30th of August sunspot group number 7773 rotated into view and two M class flares erupted, the first an M1.1/SF and the second an M1.4/SF. Smaller sub-flares and radio noise bursts were also reported. The daily sunspot indices started the period at 23 and rose every day reaching 101 by the 3rd giving a mean of 47. Solar flux levels have also climbed from 78 units on the 29th of August up to 94 units by the 4th of September, with the period averaging 86 units. The 90 day flux average was 78 units on the 4th of September. Geomagnetic activity has been quiet throughout the period with the Ap indices averaging 5.5 units. The state has been 'Nil nothing to report'. The aa indices for the 23rd to the 29th of August, as supplied by the British Geological Survey, was quiet with the daily indices averaging 12.9 nanoTeslas, about K2. There were many periods down to only 5 nanoTeslas. The X-Ray flux levels increased very considerably, reaching B4.3 on the 30th. The period averaged B1.9 units. The electron fluence levels have been at moderate throughout the period. This, and the seasonal changes, have resulted in a modest improvement of ionospheric conditions. The monthly RI sunspot number for August was 22.8 with a maximum of 44 on the 14th and a minimum of 10 on the 2nd and 22nd. The smoothed sunspot number for February 1994 was RI 35.0 +/-5. Bartells rotation 2199 started on the 30th of August. I'll repeat the figures. Spots - 47; Flux - 86; Ap index-5.5; X-ray flux B1.9. August Spots RI 22.8. Now the ionospheric data for Central France: The F2 daytime critical frequencies at Poitiers, as reported by Meudon, averaged 6.7MHz, though the 30th and 31st of August were up to 7.2MHz. The darkness hour lows averaged 3.0MHz, though levels varied from 2.8 up to 3.6MHz. No spread F was reported, showing that the ionosphere is stabilizing considerably. The highs are now around 20.00 hours and the darkness lows around 04.00 hours. I'll repeat the figures. Highs - 6.7MHz; lows - 3.0MHz. Now the ionospheric data for the north: The F2 daytime critical frequency data from Ekaterinberg is now available again and from the data we have, the daytime levels are about 5.7MHz and the darkness hour levels 3.5MHz. We hope to catch up next week. I'll repeat the figures: Highs - 5.7MHz; lows - 3.5MHz. And lastly the solar forecast: This week, the quieter side of the sun will be looking our way and solar flux levels are expected to be about 75 units, with geomagnetic activity quiet. Ionospheric MUFs in the south during daylight are expected to reach 21MHz, and the darkness hours about 10MHz. Northern stations should find the ionosphere more stable now. North/south paths are expected to be the best. And that's the end of the solar information. Finally in the main news, SSL has informed the Society that as of last Wednesday morning, the latest callsigns allocated were in the G0 Victor Foxtrot and G7 Tango Quebec series, and Novice calls in the 2 0 Alpha India and 2 1 Delta Juliet series. -- NEWS FOR THE SOUTH EAST Meetings for Tuesday the 13th of September: Colchester Radio Amateurs: RAE and NRAE courses commence in rooms 25-28 at St Helena School, Sheepen Road. Further details from Frank, G3FIJ on 0206 851189. Stevenage and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Basic Power Supplies' by Les Jones. RAE course starts on Wednesday the 14th. For further details contact Peter, G7HCL on 0438 724509. Meetings for Wednesday the 14th of September: Bracknell Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Global Networking' by G1MSS. Details from Steve, G4AUC on 0344 420577. Chesham and District Amateur Radio Society has a technical topic 'EFD' with Dave, G8KBV. For further details contact Ian, G0RTF on 0494 676391. Cheshunt and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk entitled 'Packet Chat - nodes and TCP/IP - How to do it' by G8DJU and G3TIK. Details from G4OAA on 0992 464795. Darenth Valley Radio Society has a Junk Sale. Details from Len, G0HRD, tel: 0474 703322. Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'Stars and Radio Astronomy' by G3PYC. Details from Roy, G4GPX on 0903 753893. Meetings for Thursday the 15th of September: Cray Valley Radio Society has a talk on 'Bob's Dx-pedition Package' by Bob Treacher. Contact Bob on 081 850 1386 for details. East Kent Radio Society has a talk at 8pm at Icom. The AGM is on Thursday the 6th of October. Contact Paul, G3VJF on 0227 364606 for further information. Hoddesdon Radio Club has a talk entitled 'The Novice Licence Scheme' by Robert, G4OBE, Senior Instructor, London Area. Details from John, G7OCI on 0920 466639. Sutton and Cheam Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Fibre Optics' by Alan, G6JZN. For details contact John, G0BWV, tel: 081 644 9945. Vange Amateur Radio Society has a 'Comments and Reports on its Recent Rally'. For further details contact Doris on 0268 552606. Meetings for Friday the 16th of September: Mid Sussex Amateur Radio Society has a 'Make And Mend' evening - use the club expertise and test gear to fix faulty equipment. Details from G3LCF 0444 831400. Southend and District Radio Society has a trip to Bradwell, starting at 8pm. Please make your own way there. Details from Stephen, G1XGP on 071 623 9611 Day. Winchester Amateur Radio Club has a talk by Mike Homer. For further information contact John, G4AXO, tel: 0962 860807. Meeting for Saturday the of 17th of September: Crystal Palace and District Radio Club has a talk entitled 'EMC - Avoiding Interference' by Robin Page-Jones, G3JWI, Chairman RSGB EMC Committee. Details from Wilf, G3DSC on 081 699 5732. NEWS FOR SOUTH WEST An RAE course will commence on Thursday, 29 September, at the Bideford Arts Centre, The Quay, Bideford, from 6.15pm to 9.15pm. Enrolment is by post to R F Lyddon, G4ETJ, 24 Gate Field Road, Bideford EX39 3QX, or telephone 0237 472462, Monday to Friday, for further information. Meeting for Monday the 12th of September: Exeter Amateur Radio Society Club has a Visit to Devon and Cornwall Police Headquarters. Further details from Bill, G0SZX on 0392 423658. Meetings for Tuesday the 13th of September: The Mid Cornwall Beacon and Repeater Group has its Annual General Meeting at the Royal British Legion Hall, Truro at 7.30pm. The hall is in St Mary's Street, close to the cathedral, a new venue for the groups AGM. All are welcome to attend. Further information from G4XOP on 0726 63048. Plymouth Radio Club has an 'Antenna Workshop' with Jan, G0IVZ (the first of two). Contact Frank, G7LUL on 0752 563222 for details. Salisbury Radio and Electronic Society has a talk 'Digital Communications' by Chris Angel of Racal Vodaphone. Details from David on 0722 330971 (w/ends only). Meetings for Wednesday the 14th of September: Exmouth Amateur Radio Club has an 'Open Evening' - for members of the public to visit the club and meet its members. Telephone 0395 279574 for further details. South Bristol Amateur Radio Club has a 'Review of the Bristol Radio-computer Rally' by G4YZR. For more information telephone 0275 834282. Meetings for Thursday the 15th of September: Plymouth Radio Club has a Radio Direction Finding Hunt at the George Hotel, Roborough at 7.30pm. For further details contact Frank, G7LUL on 0752 563222. Wincanton Amateur Radio Club has its Enrolment Night for RAE students at King Arthurs Community College, Wincanton. Details from Dave, G3ZXX on 0963 34360. Yeovil Amateur Radio Club has an Open Evening to students from local schools to introduce them to Amateur Radio. This is being organised by G3KSK. For details contact Cedric, G4JBL on 0258 473845. Meeting for Friday the 16th of September: Taunton and District Amateur Radio Club has a Surplus Sale. Further details from G3WNI, on 0823 680778. Meeting for Saturday the 17th of September: Saltash and District Amateur Radio Club has a 'Field Day' in the grounds of the Crooked Inn. The event features a members' stall and Junk Sale. Refreshments available at the Inn. Visitors are most welcome. Further details from Brian, tel: 0752 844321. NEWS FOR EAST ANGLIA Meeting for Tuesday the 13th of September: Norfolk Amateur Radio Club has a talk on 'The Discovery of Electricity' and a demonstration of the 'Insect Filter' by Stewart, G3PPD. Details from Mike, G4EOL on 0603 789792. Meeting for Friday the 16th of September: Cambridge and District Amateur Radio Club has a 'Surprise' evening. Contact John, G0GKP on 0954 200072 for further information. Meeting for Monday the 19th of September: Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society has a change of programme for Monday the 19th of September. It now has a Visit to Aldburgh Lifeboat Station, starting at 8pm at the station. Names to be submitted to Paul, G4YQC on 0394 273507 (evenings.) NEWS FOR THE MIDLANDS Meetings for Monday 12th of September: Mansfield Amateur Radio Society has a Two Metre Direction Finding Hunt, followed by a talk about Contesting by Mick, G0GAG. Further information from Howard, G1JGY on 0623 423697. Stratford upon Avon and District Radio Society has an Open Night and a talk on Dayton '94 by Herb, OZ7SM and George, G3LNS. Further details from Martin, G3XZO on 0789 740073. Sutton Coldfield Radio Society has an 'Antenna Repair' plus VHF On Air night. Contact Tony, G0FEO on 0827 874010 for further details. Meetings for Tuesday the 13th of September: Radio Society of Bloxwich has a Membership Renewal evening. For further details contact Chris, G0MLY on 0922 683877. Bromsgrove Amateur Radio Society has a Technical Topics evening. For more information contact Barry, G0TPG on 0527 542266. Buxton Radio Amateurs has a talk entitled 'Amateur Television'. Details from Derek, G4IHO, tel: 0298 25506. Mid-Warwickshire Amateur Radio Society has a talk with slides on 'Pacific Crossing on Operation Raleigh' by G4AAL. Details from Don, G8HRI on 0926 424465. Meetings for Wednesday the 14th of September: Derby and District Amateur Radio Society has a Visit to Derbyshire Ambulance Control. Contact Hayley, G7PXA on 0773 856904 for details. Telford and District Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'The Inside Story of GB0AA, Air Ambulance Appeal 1994' by Geoff, G0KNM. Details from Dave, G4EIX, on 0952 588878. Meetings for Thursday the 15th of September: Amateur Radio Club of Nottingham has a Direction Finding Hunt. Further details from Simon, G0IEG on 0602 501733. Solihull Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Morris Minor Cars' at 7.30pm. Details from Paul, G8AYY on 021 783 2996. Meeting for Saturday the 17th of September: Salop Amateur Radio Society has a Charity Boot Sale/Radio Auction at The Oak Hotel car park, Shelton, Shrewsbury from 10am. All proceeds will go to the County Air Ambulance Appeal. Details from Sheila, G0SST on 0743 361935. NEWS FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND Liverpool and District Amateur Radio Society now now offers an RAE Course, starting in September on Tuesdays 7.30 - 8.30pm. The tutor is Albert, G0MSO. Contact G4WWX on 051 722 1178 for further information. Meetings for Monday the 12th of September: Spen Valley Amateur Radio Society has a Visit to a Brewery, an all-ticket event. Further details from David, G1CTO on 0924 497767. Thornton Cleveleys Amateur Radio Society has a two ten-minute talks. Further details from G4BFH who is QTHR. Meetings for Tuesday the 13th of September: Bury Radio Society has a Presentation by ISWL. Contact Mike, G4GSY on 061 761 5083 for further details. Chester and District Amateur Radio Society has a Video night, showing (1) 'Space Shuttle' and (2) 'Amateur Radio - the Newest Frontier'. Further details from David Hicks on 0244 336639. Wakefield and District Radio Society has a Rally Preparation evening. Further details from Roy, G0TBY on 0924 893321. Meetings for Wednesday the 14th of September: Mid-Cheshire Amateur Radio Society has a talk on 'Canals, part 2' by Phil, G0UCJ. Further details from Ted, G0RBA on 0606 592207. Stockport Radio Society has a talk entitled 'HMS Bronnington' by G3XGE. Telephone 061 439 4952 for further information. Meetings for Thursday the 15th of September: Grimsby Amateur Radio Society has a talk entitled 'Hobbies for All' by Brian, G4KAL. For further details contact John, G3DOT on 0472 825899. Hambleton Amateur Radio Society has a demonstration of 40m QRP (3 watts) operating by Tim, G0TYM. Further details from Bob, G7RNH on 0642 710886. Keighley Amateur Radio Society has an 'Ideas for 1995' evening. For further details contact Kathy, G0RLO on 0274 496222. NEWS FOR SCOTLAND Meeting for Tuesday the 13th of September: Dundee Amateur Radio Club has an Enrolment and Construction Night. For further details contact George, GM4FSB who is QTHR. Meeting for Wednesday the 14th of September: Lothians Radio Society meets for its President's Address. Details from Brian, GM4DIJ on 031 337 7311. Meeting for Friday the 16th of September: Aberdeen Amateur Radio Society has its Final SARCON'94 Rally preparation and briefing session. Further details from Martin, GM0JCN on 0569 731177. NEWS FOR WALES Mid-Glamorgan Amateur Radio Group is running a Novice course at Aberkenfig Sports and Social Club, Aberkenfig to start on October 6th. Anyone interested, to contact Roger on 0656 733729 or Tom on 0656 736954. Meeting for Monday the 12th of September: Cardiff RSGB Group has a talk entitled 'Matching' by John, GW4HWR. For further details contact John, GW4HWR on 0222 810368. -- GB2RS is prepared by the Radio Society of Great Britain and is broadcast in the 80m, 40m, 6m and 2m bands. Tel +44 1707 659015 Fax +44 1707 645105